Shoe or boot stretcher



June 13, 1950 T. R. MUZINICH SHOE 0R BOOT STRETCHER INVENTOR. THOMAS H. MUZl/V/Ch' .6. aux W0 A T TOR/V5) llllla Filed June 18, 1948 Patented June 13, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,511,366 SHOE R BOOT STRETCHER Thomas R. Muzinich, San Jose, Calif.

Application June 18, 1948, Serial No. 33,733

This invention relates to improvements in boot or shoe stretchers.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved shoe stretcher having means for applying pressures which tend to widen and also lengthen a shoe.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved shoe stretcher embodying means for simultaneous applying pressures in opposite directions upon the forward and rear portions of a shoe or boot as well as pressures transversely in opposite directions upon the vamp portion of the shoe or boot.

Other and further objects of my invention will be pointed out hereinafter or will be indicated in the appended claim or will be obvious to one skilled in the art upon an understanding of the present disclosure. For the purpose of this application I have elected to show herein certain forms and details of a shoe stretcher representative of our invention; it is to be understood, however, that the embodiment of my invention herein shown and described is for the purpose of illustration only and that therefore it is not to be considered exhaustive of the variations of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a boot or shoe stretcher embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2; and a Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings the numerals l, I designate two relatively adjustable blocks or members which in combination with one another simulate in a general way the shape of a persons foot. The rear ends of the blocks I, l are secured to a spring hinge plate 2 which provides hinge means for allowing the relative movement of the said blocks either away from or toward each other. The hinge plate also urges the blocks toward each other and normally but yieldably maintains the blocks in positions in which their adjacent flat sides are in approximate contact with one another.

The blocks are formed with parallel or aligned longitudinal slots 3 which are open at their inner sides to accommodate a slidable wedge 4. The outer sides 5 of the slots 3 tend to converge toward the toe of the blocks. The outer edges of the wedge 4 engage with the outer sides 5 of 1 Claim. (Cl. 12--128.3')

the slots 3 and when the said wedge is moved forwardly the blocks l are moved apart against the tension of the spring hinge plate 2 to increase the overall width of the blocks. As the wedge l is moved rearwardly in a reverse direction the spring hinge plate 2 returns the blocks toward each other.

Rotatably mounted in aligned transverse openings 5 in the blocks I, I, is a pin 1 having an enlarged central portion 8 which is provided with a diametrically disposed threaded opening. Operatively extending through the threaded opening in the enlarged portion 8 of the pin 1 is an elongated screw 9 which is suitably connected at its forward end to the wedge A. The screw extends rearwardly through opposed grooves in the innersides of the blocks and also through a central opening in the spring hinge plate 2. An elongated shank 10 having a handle II at its rear end is connected by a universal joint l2 to the rear end of the screw 9. It will be noted that when the handle II is turned to the right the screw 9 is advanced forwardly, thereb causing the wedge 4 to move in the same direction and separate the blocks I, I. The reverse rotation of the handle II will cause the wedge 4 to move rearwardly, thereby permitting the spring hinge plate to move the blocks toward each other. The universal joint I2 connecting the elongated shank IE! and the screw l2 permits the handle to be shifted to various operative positions. Thus when the present invention is used with boots or high shoes the shank 10 may be arranged in a substantially upright position, thereby making it possible for the handle to be conveniently turned to adjust the relative positions of the blocks.

Arranged in spaced adjustable relation with respect to the blocks I, I is a rear member 13. Interposed between the rear end of one of the blocks 1 and the forward side of the rear member I3 is a substantially vertical open frame l4 having opposed front and rear parallel sides with which a vertically adjustable U-shaped slide member l5 engages. Connected at adjacent ends by a pin Hi to the slide member l5 are links I! and I8 which are connected, respectively, by pins or other suitable means to one of the blocks l and to the rear member l3. The links I! and i8 extend through vertical slots provided in the opposed sides of the frame l4. Rotatably secured to the upper end of the slide member I5 is a substantially vertical screw H] which operatively extends through a threaded opening in the upper side of the frame It. A handle 20 secured to the upper end of the screw 19 may be turned to raise or lower the slide member I5, thereby causing the relative adjustment of the rear member I3 and the blocks I. It will be noted that when the screw I9 is turned to the right the slide member I5 is lowered, thereby causing the links H and I8 to be actuated in a manner which causes the relative separation of the rear member l3 and the blocks I. The turning of the screw I9 in a reverse direction moves the blocks and rear member toward each other.

In order to maintain the blocks I and the rear member I3 in suitably aligned positions, a number of elongated projecting members or pins 2| secured to the front and rear sides of the frame slidabl extend into horizontally arranged openings in the said rear member and one of the blocks. The rear member I3 is suitably cut away at one of its sides as at 22 to permit the shank I to extend rearwardly in substantial alignment with the screw 9.

After the shoe or boot stretcher is properly positioned in a shoe or boot with the rear member I3 engaging with the counter of the shoe or boot and the blocks I, I positioned inside the vamp portion thereof, the handles I I and 25] may be selective manipulated to apply suitable pressures for stretching purposes. By turning the handle I I to the right the blocks I, I are relatively separated thereby exerting outward pressures in opposite directions on the vamp portion of the boot or shoe. By turning the handle 29 to the right the blocks and rear member I3 are moved apart thereby exerting forward and rearward pressures upon the front and rear portions of the shoe or boot. It will be noted that with the present invention the upper portion of a shoe or boot may be stretched to widen it at the same time it is being stretched to increase its length. By applying pressures in four difierent directions simultaneously on the upper portion of a shoe or boot the normal shape thereof is substantially maintained while it is being stretched, thereby obviating any chance of narrowing the upper portion while it is being lengthened and vice versa.

What I claim is:

In a shoe or boot stretcher, a pair of relatively adjustable blocks adapted to fit inside the vamp of a shoe or boot, the said blocks having internal forwardly converging surfaces arranged in opposed relation to each other, hinge means joining the rear ends of the blocks, a wedge interposed between the blocks and. arranged in engaging relation with the converging surfaces, a transverse member mounted in the blocks and having a threaded opening extending therethrough, an adjusting screw threaded through the opening in the transverse member and having its forward end rotatabl secured to the wedge, whereby upon rotation of the screw the wedge may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly, a rear member connected to one of the blocks and adjustably positioned rearwardly in spaced relation thereto, the rear member being adapted to engage with the counter of the boot or shoe, a substantially upright frame positioned between the rear member and the block to which it is connected, a slidable member mounted for vertical reciprocating movement in the frame, link means connecting the slide member with the rear member and the block to which the latter is connected, and an adjusting screw operatively engaging with threaded means on the frame and rotatably connected to the slide member whereby upon rotation of the screw the slide member may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly to change the relative positions of the rear member and the block to which it is connected.

THOMAS R. MUZINICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 385,508 Donovan July 3, 1888 522,069 MacDonald June 26, 1894 657,814 Crozier Sept. 11, 1900 853,077 Goodwin May 7, 1907 1,248,290 Dubois Nov. 27, 1917 1,284,198 Marchetti Nov. 5, 1918 1,415,537 Elmstrom May 9, 1922 1,720,479 Kanell July 9, 1929 2,069,537 Panos Feb. 2, 1937 2,424,669 Rinnela Jul 29, 1947 

